Repertoire

The Variation from the Esmeralda Pas de Six was the very first piece of repertoire learnt at Ballet Bristol's opening meeting.  It was performed for the first time by Ellie in May 2009 during our performance to support the British Red Cross.  It has always been a dream of Sian's to re-create a scene from this ballet which is rarely seen outside Russia.In February 2011, Ballet Bristol premiered their version of 'The Court of Miracles' scene from Art 1 and it's

the aim to add the entire Pas de Six to the repertoire in the near future.

Ballet Bristol first peformed 'The Mirlitons' from The Nutcracker at their debut performance in February 2009.

Since then it has grown to become the complete scene from 'Kingdom of Sweets', featuring some of the most

well known dances, including The Sugar Plum Fairy, Chinese, Arabian and Russian to Tchaikovsky's famous

score. Pictured above right is Gemma in the Arabian dance at a performance at Frenchay Hospital in February

2011 in a version of the dance that she choreographed herself.

This is a Ballet in one Act choreographed by the founder of Chelsea Ballet, Thelma Litster to the stunning

music of Glazunov.  Sian danced in this ballet during her time with the company and was taught by Thelma

herself.  Ballet Bristol is delighted that Thelma's daughter and the current Artistic Director of Chelsea Ballet,

Louise Hudson, has given us permission to dance this ballet.  So far we have only performed a shortened version,

most notably at St Monica Trust in November 2009, but we would love to perform the whole ballet in the future.

Emily has frequently danced the Summer Variation at our various performances and is pictured here at the

Redgrave Theatre in July 2010.

One of the most recent ballets to be added to our repertoire are dances from Les Sylphides choreographed by

Fokine to Chopin's music. The Waltz was first performed by Laura at Totterdown Methodist Church in March 2011. 

Pictured above.  The trio of female solos were completed in June at St Moncia Trust when Prelude was danced by

Sarah S and Mazurka by Ellie W.

opening Waltz Variation for Swanhilda and Dawn, Prayer and Work from Act 3.  In August 2010, Lee joined

the company which enabled us to add the duet for Dr Coppelius and Coppelia.  Pictured above is Sian and Lee

at Frenchay Hospital and Kate as Swanhilda at Totterdown Methodist Church.

Sleeping Beauty is widely considered the outstanding achievement of the 19th century choreographer, Petipa 

for the Russian Imperial Ballet.   Variations from the ballet were first included in the repertoire for our Red Cross

performance in May 2009.  It was also Sleeping Beauty that introduced repertoire to the dancers of the newly

formed Performers Level 1 group in February 2010.  Members of this group made their debut performance in one

of the Courtier Dances at a show for BUPA in May 2010.  Since then our offering from Sleeping Beauty has

enhanced many of our programmes, including the Fairy Variations from the Prologue, White Cat and Puss in

Boots Pas de Deux, Jewel Fairy Pas de Trois and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.  Pictured above is

Fiona dancing a Jewel Fairy Variation at the Redgrave Theatre and Lee and Kate in Little Red Riding Hood

at Totterdown Methodist Church.

Another sparkling example of Petipa's choreography is showcased in Paquita.  Bringing the Pas de Trois

into the repertoire was made possible by Keith, who taught and coached company members in the piece. 

Michelle and Laura made their debuts with Ballet Bristol dancing the Pas de Trois with Keith at Frenchay

Hospital in February 2011.  Laura is pictured here in her variation at that performance.

Pas de Deesses (Dance of the Goddesses) is a recreation by Thelma Litster of a divertissement dating from 1846,

the Romantic Era of Ballet.  Performed by kind permission of Chelsea Ballet, this was one of Sian's favourite roles

during her time with the company.  Pas de Deesses was introduced to our repertoire in May 2009. 

The photos above show Emily during the Dress Rehearsal in a costume borrowed from Chelsea Ballet.

Another charming divertissement choreographed by Thelma Litster and performed by kind permission of

Chelsea Ballet.  Pas de Valse was first performed by Ballet Bristol in July 2010 at the Redgrave Theatre. 

New costumes for the piece were designed and made by our own wardrobe mistress, Elizabeth. 

The photos above show Elizabeth and Suzy at a rehearsal in costume prior to the performance.

Petipa's show stopping favourite, The Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote, was first performed with great

success by Ellie and Keith at the Redgrave Theatre in July 2010.  The above photos show the couple onstage

in costumes hired from the Bristol Russian Ballet School for the occasion.  Ellie has also danced the famous 'Fan'

variation at several of our smaller performances. 

Two Sisters